"UK Unveils Innovative 'City Centre Biophilic Swansea' Project, Marking a Pioneering Milestone"
Swansea is set to undergo a significant transformation with the launch of the Biophilic Swansea project, a mixed-use regeneration development located in the heart of the city centre. The innovative project, which has received funding from the Welsh Government's Innovative Housing Programme, is a collaborative effort involving Swansea University, the Active Building Centre, Public Health Wales, local community groups, and Hacer Developments.
At the forefront of this eco-friendly initiative is Pobl Group, a not-for-profit organisation that manages over 17,600 homes across Wales. Pobl will be the residential partner for the Biophilic Swansea project, with plans to run and manage the urban farm as a social enterprise, allowing residents to be actively involved.
The project aims to provide affordable new homes, workspace, and a community urban farm. The former Woolworth store on Oxford Street will be redeveloped with new floors and a new build tower. The redevelopment will open into a new multi-use public realm, becoming a vibrant public and cultural space for events and street markets.
One of the key features of Biophilic Swansea is the incorporation of an aquaponics system. This innovative technology creates a continuous cycle where waste produced by fish adds nutrients to the water, which in turn feeds the greenhouse plants. The project's two south-facing greenhouses at roof level, with the largest serviced by the aquaponics system, are expected to produce up to 4.5 tonnes of fruits, vegetables, salads, and herbs per year.
Swansea Council leader Rob Stewart considers the Biophilic Swansea project an impressive innovative concept and another landmark development for the city. He expressed his gratitude to the Welsh Government for the funding provided, stating that the lifestyle, wellbeing, quality standards, and greening principles of the Biophilic Living development reflect the Council's commitment to creating a greener, more people-friendly city centre.
In addition to the Biophilic Swansea project, work is also about to commence on a collaborative project with Coastal Housing to develop a new community of 144 zero carbon homes to the west of the city. Meanwhile, Pobl is currently developing 33 affordable apartments as part of Phase One of the Copr Bay regeneration project in Swansea, and has recently exceeded its target of creating 3,000 new homes. The organisation has ambitions to invest in a further 10,000 new homes by 2030.
The new Council led development at 71-72 The Kingsway, on the site of the former Oceana nightclub, will provide high tech workspace. The Biophilic Swansea project is set to transform the cityscape of Swansea, offering a greener, more sustainable, and community-focused urban environment.
